Where did the summer go?

Me trying to not wheeze because of all of the smoke

It is amazing that three months have gone by in a blink of an eye. Summer is at an end and thankfully, we have begun to receive well-needed rain in Oregon. It has been so dry and the fires have really been bad. We were at a Level 1 evacuation level for two weeks and it was a long two weeks. When you are told to get ready to evacuate and you look around your home at what has taken you a lifetime to accumulate, it is an emotional experience. We gathered pictures, papers, quilts, and short-term clothing and stacked them by the door. I took pictures of everything inside of closets and rooms so that I would have something to see to remind me of items just in case. We were lucky because we didn't have to leave. Others were not as lucky and were homeless for many weeks and some lost their homes even through the heroic efforts of the men and women firefighters working endlessly trying to contain the fire and save as much as they could.

I have been trying so hard to catch up on some long overdo projects. 2017 has been a wonderful year with working on the World Quilting Travel Adventure but it did consume a lot of time in designing and creating the souvenirs and writing patterns and instructions. I realized that I was not getting any closer to finishing older projects. So after designing Australia, I stopped and finished piecing my Christmas quilt. The top is now done and is resting on the second bed waiting its turn to be quilted.

Next I pulled out The Lady that really has languished for years with its top being done but me not feeling up to the level to quilt it myself. I realized that I may never feel comfortable in quilting her so I bit the bullet and have been quilting her. It's been hard and I don't feel like I am getting anywhere near close to being finished, but I am plugging away at her.

Quilting on The Lady's hair

To give myself a break on quilting, I have been making a toothbrush rug for my kitchen. It is a perfect mindless activity after machine quilting for too long. So far, it is about 27 inches in diameter and I hope to finish it at least 45 to 60 inches in diameter.

Toothbrush rug in progress

My finished Israel souvenir was accepted in a local quilt show. I look forward to seeing it hanging next weekend. I was so nervous on whether it would be accepted. Isn't that silly? In the big scheme of life, that is really not even on a measurable level.

Other projects on my to-do list is to make a baby quilt for a neighbor's daughter who is expecting next year. She is such a sweetie and I so rarely get to do baby things. And speaking of baby things! I learned of an organization that makes NICU-friendly diaper shirts for babies, no matter how small! I immediately offered my sewing services and have my flannel all washed and prepped. I still need to locate a special soft Velcro and then I can start cutting and sewing. When you see how small the pattern is for a 1 pound or less infant, it is difficult to wrap your brain around a baby being that tiny. I received 7 patterns for babies from 1 pound to 7 pounds, 8 ounces and you get to choose the ones you want to make. If you are interested in using up a little of your cotton and flannel, please go to Twenty-Five and Four to learn more. I'm thinking this would make a great reason to gather several friends together for an afternoon party of sewing and fellowship while sewing these tiny shirts for such precious babies.

And before you think we have stopped travelling, we have not. Just taken a pause. I assure you that all this activity has not stopped me from contemplating Australia's souvenir and the different techniques to use for it. Honestly, I have gone from one end to another and still have not nailed down which techniques to use. It may end up an everything including the kitchen sink souvenir! The cooler weather is spurring me on to a decision and then I will start transferring the design to templates. I have my fabric chosen so at least that part is decided.

And as a famous person once said, "give your loved ones a daily hug and never let the sun go down with sourness on your lips. It'll leak out of other body parts!"  LOL

Seeing the light at the end of the tunnel

I'm taking a break from starting on the next souvenir to finish this quilt. The next souvenir is finished design-wise and the next step is to start working on it, but my design wall is overflowing with this quilt that has been years in the making. I've tried to make a few of these swag units each week but lately I've been on a mission to get them DONE! All 28 units are now made and the next step is to sew 4 strips together of 7 swags each. I'm going to sew them this week and join the cornerstone blocks that I designed and finished a long time ago. Once I get these borders sewn, I get to measure the quilt and the borders to determine my borders that get sandwiched between the quilt and the swags. There are 4 very narrow borders so while I see the light at the end of the tunnel, I'm not there yet..... But seeing the light has given me a fire in my tummy to reach it. Maybe by July 1 the top will be completed and ready to be basted together for quilting. Hey, a girl can wish!  LOL

This quilt is called Ruffled Roses and was a 2011 block of the month designed by the famous Sue Garman for The Quilt Show. I redesigned many of the sections to fit within my Christmas theme, but the main layout is all Sue's, and she was a master at designing beautiful, intricately pieced quilts. This one is no exception. It has stretched me in a good way. I am a better piecer because of Sue.

Have a blessed week enjoying loving, creating, and using those hands God gave you. I plan to do so as well.

Israel is our next destination -- Are you coming?

I hope you answered a BIG YES to traveling to Israel with me!

Oregon has been dealing with the craziest, most awful winter storm that just will not go away (snow, ice, damaging wind, rinse and repeat). Freezing rain has been forecast for today so here we go again. I've been stuck in the house for over a week and getting a bit stir crazy because even though I don't have to get out, the fact that I can't makes me want to. LOL

February is quickly approaching so I thought I'd better get myself in gear and start the next souvenir for our trip. In February we are travelling to Israel. Israel is a place I have dreamed of visiting for many, many years. I may never ever get the chance to be there in person so I'm diving in with both feet and including it in our next World Quilting Travel Adventure destination.

The drawing part is finished, and I will be choosing fabrics and starting putting it together this weekend. I'm so excited to share it with you! The anticipation of seeing what you do with each souvenir is wonderful and fun. I love when you share with me. Please check out the link above that shows some of our traveler souvenirs. Please add your link too even if you aren't finished with it yet! 

I have no regular work for the rest of today so I'm planning on working on the border for a quilt that has been on my design wall for much too long. Put it this way, if my quilt was a fine wine, it would be time to drink it! The quilt pattern was designed by Sue Garman and was part of a block of the month at The Quilt Show. I redesigned the center block, ribbon borders and all cornerstone blocks to fit my theme. It took me a long time to choose fabrics that fit my 'old Christmas' theme and then to make all the redesigned areas. The doves were much harder to do than I anticipated, but I love them. Sue passed away before I could post finishing pictures of it, but I think she would like it. Here is a link to Sue's version if you would like to see it. She really was a master designer. I did not know her personally, but I really miss her being here on earth with us. 

Here's a few progress pictures. This quilt will be finished this year God willing.

And this is where I am now. I still have a swag border and a couple narrow inner borders to do but I see the end is near.

Secrets and how hard it is to keep them!

Oh, how I am dying to share my new English paper piecing mystery block of the month with all of you!!! Each time I finished designing a block, I proclaimed it to be my favorite only to have the next design become my new favorite. 

Are you like that too? Whatever you are working on at that particular moment is your all-time favorite? Between embroidering hats for customers and this block of the month, it's taken up nearly all of my time, but I've been having a blast.

The first class is tomorrow and I'm ready to get this project into the hands of willing participants. I promise to take photos as the year progresses. It will be fun to see all of the color variations for each block. The class is at Pioneer Quilts. I hope to see you there tomorrow!

The pictures below are of one of my ongoing projects. The quilt is a rendition of Sue Garman's Ruffled Roses that she created in 2011 for The Quilt Show. I redesigned the center block, swag borders, and corner blocks to make it fit my Christmas theme. Sue is one of my top 10 quilt designers because of her attention to detail. Her instructions are meticulous, and she is someone I dream of meeting in person one day.

Each year I proclaim that this IS THE YEAR for me to finish it. LOL Someday...someday....

And here a a couple of actions shots!  

I am working on the last four baskets and then I can join them to the center. There will be one border left after I get these joined. I could almost squeal at the thought of seeing it at the next stage.

Note to all meat eaters -- don't forget to check back in in a few days for Monday's Recipe. You won't be disappointed!